Poem: "Brothers at Heart"
This poem came out of the October 1, 2013 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired and sponsored by janetmiles.
Brothers at Heart
People forget that
Thor is Loki's brother,
forget how much they share --
parents and tutors,
childhood shenanigans,
a sense of humor.
Thor's power
comes to him early,
lightning bolts flying
to his chubby childish hands.
Loki is the one who teaches him
about "electrickery" --
how to reduce the storm's fury
to a fingerful of sparks
and hide them in a wool carpet,
how to make the mortal machines
sputter and blink off
with just a touch.
Nobody suspects pranks and deceit
from someone whose sphere of influence
is so straightforward as thunder
(but that's because they've forgotten
that Thor is Loki's brother)
and that's why it works.
* * *
Notes:
Thor and Loki are not related in the earliest Norse myths. However, they became linked as brothers in later Christian retellings, a la Cain and Abel, which may have inspired subsequent aspects of cultural interpretation such as Marvel comics. I came across the Christianized version some time ago and found that a good match for today's prompt.